Richard Tacon
Bathurst Resources

Since starting his career in the 1970s, Richard has worked in almost every role in the coal mining industry. Richard studied at the Otago School of Mines in New Zealand.

His first job in the industry was at Greymouth’s Liverpool State Mine, owned by the New Zealand Government. He moved to Australia to further his mining career and went on to hold several management roles in coal mines around Australia, working his way from undermanager to General Manager.

Richard has held senior leadership roles in the coal sector for the past decade. After living and working in Australia for 32 years, Richard returned to New Zealand to take up the position of Chief Operating Officer with Bathurst in 2012. He was appointed to the role of Chief Executive Officer in March 2015. Richard holds first, second and third class coal mining qualifications and studied at the Otago School of Mining. He has also spent 15 years on a rescue crew, making him familiar with the principles and practice of mine safety. Richard is an ex secretary for the Australian Mine Managers Association and sits on the board of the New Zealand Mines Rescue Trust.

Latest News

Govt's head in (iron) sand over mining ban

*The NZ Herald - January 2019*
The great Greek historian Thucydides had a dim view of
politicians. In the fifth century B.C. he wrote: “Some
legislators only wish to vengeance against a
particular enemy . . . They devote very little time on the
consideration of...

Blackwater Gold Mine Permit a Welcome Boost for West Coast

Straterra, New Zealand’s minerals sector industry
organisation, has welcomed the decision from
government agency New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals to
grant Tasman Mining a mining permit for the
high-grade Blackwater gold deposit near Reefton.
“There is still much work to be done to establish the
Blackwater prospect as...

Why mining must play a part in New Zealand’s future

*Hauraki Straterra letter - Waihi Leader Sept 2018*
Forest & Bird head Kevin Hague recently came out with some
advice for West Coasters, pretty well advising them to give
up on mining, claiming “a thriving West Coast economy in
the future has to embrace...